“La Tapa” originated when the Spanish king Alfonso X, the Wise, was prescribed by his doctor to take small amounts of food with some wine between meals to prevent an upset stomach. The wise king saw that this was good and ordered that in all inns of Castilla, wine was not to be served if not with something to eat. In all taverns the glass of wine or carafe was served covered witha slice of either jamón serrano or cheese, to avoid impurities that could fall into the carafe and for guest to soak the alcohol they drank with something solid. This royal providence avoided the alcoholic disturbances in the body of the poor peasants at the time who were unable to afford a full meal and otherwise would just drink wine.